REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- APEC members through the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE) acknowledged the role of women in economic development. Women are both drivers and beneficiaries of inclusive economic growth.
"Women are prime movers of inclusive growth, and with this, we want to create an enabling environment for women's economic empowerment. We want business to be inclusive and women entrepreneurs to be linked up to the international markets and global value chains," said PPWE Chair Emmeline L Verzosa in a statement.
Earlier this week, the group adopted a three year strategic plan that sets a vision for strong, sustainable, and balanced economic growth in the APEC region.
This is currently being done through initiatives that mainstream, elevate, and integrate gender responsive policies and programs into APEC activities.
Specifically, member economies will seek to strengthen the integration of gender responsive policies and programs. These include access to capital and assets, access to markets, skills, capacity building and health, leadership, voice and agency, and innovation and technology.
"This is the perfect time to take note of the successes we've had so far, as well as take stock of what still needs to be done so that we can fully realize economic development felt by more sectors of our societies," she added.
Current APEC initiatives enhance women entrepreneurs’ access to opportunities, including to technologies that facilitate fast and more efficient ways of starting up or conducting a business. Another project supports leadership potential of women in all career levels.